And Gait Barrows, Hutton Roof and Farleton, Leighton Moss,Arnside Knott and everywhere else as well. Here is my blog of records, Articles, Sketches, Poems and photographs which I would love to share with you. In the main my blog refers to Nature subjects within this most beautiful North Lancs/Cumbria areas, but may from time to time also include out of the area stuff, including the most beautiful GOA (India). Life is for living and loving...

Sunday, 26 May 2013

Blog Reports from Sunday May 26th onwards

May 19th week "highlights"

I have been out and about this week as usual, doing lots of survey work on Birds Foot Sedge, and checking out lots of woodland rides and woodland edges to see if I can find Redstarts, Flycatchers and Warblers. It was great to see our village Swifts the other evening "screaming and screeching" above the Main Street in Burton In Kendal. Also been spending a day down at "Coronation Street".

Not sure about other places, but the Swallows at Russell Farm have not returned to their full numbers. There is about 8 birds returned this year and normally there would be around the 25-30, and usually they produce young with as many as 70 birds.

Mountain Melick Grass

Yesterday (Friday) was a superb morning, especially on finding a new pair of Spotted Flycatcher's on the boundary confines of the local Clawthorpe Fell. Have also spent most of Saturday looking for them on other woodland perimeters but nothing positive to report at the moment.

Also been noting areas with Spring Cinquefoil, Spring Sandwort and Mountain Melick Grass.

Nice also to make new records of Willow Warblers to add to my already extensive survey. Yesterday also produced a new Chiffchaff which was to the rear South West of Adele Bank (off Station Road) Burton In Kendal, and singing from the trees at the head of the motorway embankment.

Birds Foot Sedge - carex ornithopoda

Goldcrest seem to be doing fine so far! I am really suprised this little bird is holding its own this year with all the struggles with the weathers versus insects. I am finding them at all their usual locations, plus new sites (all conifer sites so far).

In Lancelot this morning (Sat June 1st 2013), Clarky and Miss A Note were singing away. Blackcaps prolific.

Early Purple Orchids seem to have been everywhere (almost) and think perhaps they are now on the turn, Yellow Pimpernel is showing up on the tracks in Lancelot and Storth, Common Cowheat is about two weeks away in Lancelot, Travellors Joy (old mans beard - clematis) is now bright green and stretching his veins along the grykes of pavement 2a in Lancelot. Could not find Field Madder in Lancelot this year as yet but the Birds Foot Sedge has gone from strength to strength and although we surveyed last year and brought the numbers up to 629 clumps, I'll bet this year there will be even more. The Angular Solomons Seal is represented in most of its usual places and perhaps about one week off its best, also the Lily Of The Valley is a week or two behind but coming through strong now and again a week or so off its best. Nice patch of Bugle is showing up in Lancelot.

Woodruff - galium odoratum

Wow what a fabulous display of bluebells this year in at least a couple of our Woodlands, I would think now they are perhaps at their best and on the turn. The woodlands around Lancelot besides showing bluebells are also showing some good carpetting of "Woodruff" (a sort of cleaver looking plant) known to grow in ancient woodlands. I did'nt know it also has another name, "Master of the Woods". I did actually pluck a leaf or two to chew upon and it was pleasant like a sort of "vanilla" taste. Also the Ramsons are taking over a couple of the copses and woodlands giving away their presence with the mighty powerful aroma of "garlic"

Facebook and Twitter

Or better still I have now created a facebook page dedicated to run alongside the "I Love Arnside and Silverdale Blog". The page has been set up so that I can keep regular Notices of current blogs on the site which I will try and do by linking across. Occasionally I will also put on old blogs that may bear relation to current topics etc, also one of the main advantages is so that members can participate and comment and add information themselves should they so wish.

Vismig - Visible Migration (Birds)

For almost 30 years I have been interested in bird migration and have each year, especially in Autumn done vismig counts of moving birds through our Area. Up until recently I was counting down at Haslingden in Rossendale and more recently I have been enjoying counting at Hutton Roof (accessed from Clawthorpe) and closeby to my new home in Burton In Kendal.

If you are further interested in vismig and want to check out the "vismig" site then click here.

The authorative vismig record site is Trektellen which offers full reports from the UK and also all over Europe click here.

"Redwings to the left of me, Fieldfares to the right..." - If you would like to read the recent vismig article by Clive McKay and recently published in Birdguides, then click here. (local records mentioned)....

Followers

Autumnwatch 2014

Media

If you want to check out my time on BBC Autumnwatch Extra at Leighton Moss 2014 with Brett Westwood Please Click Here (Film is for approx 20 mins duration)

If you want to check out my time on BBC Autumnwatch Extra at Leighton Moss 2013 with Euan Mcilwraith Please Click Here (Film is for approx 20 mins duration)

If you want to check out my time on BBC News for the finding of the rare Holly Fern after 56 years, with Beccy Meehan Please Click Here (Film is for approx 1min 20seconds)

A lovely film showing both of the rare Holly Ferns which was made and given to me as a gift by my good friend Brian Gomm of Kendal. Please click here to check it out. (Film is for approx 6 mins duration)

If you want to check out the Great Grey Shrike film in Dalton Crags. Made by Fraser and guess what! I do seem to recognise the owd chap at the beginning. Please click here.

Fraser also made another short film about the Great Grey Shrike Part 2 in Dalton/Hutton Roof. Shows the Shrike actually impaling a lizard. Please click here

Scotch Argus

Arnside Knott 6th Aug 2009

Autumn Leaves

Dalton 5th Nov 2010

Smoked Sunbeams

Arnside Knott - 31st Aug 2010

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary

Warton Crag 3rd July 2009

Marsh Helliborine

Carnforth 6th July 2011.

Items for Sale

Grasses, Ferns, Mosses & Lichens by Roger Phillips - A well used book but still a good reference, please contact me for further details. Good price for this much wanted book even in this condition £9.99 local delivery only.

Other Books for sale

From Fell and Field - A History of the Westmorland County Show 1799-1999 - Roger Bingham - Cicerone Paperback - Very Clean £8

The flowering plants and ferns of North Lancashire by L.A. & P.D. Livermore. Excellent reference and a very clean copy. For sale at £20 buyer collect or arrange delivery.

New Naturalist 1-10 Facsimile Collection - In NEW condition and a real bargain at £250 (Normal £500-750). Please note I do only have the one set available. Buyer Collect or maybe could deliver if local. Please contact me for further details.

Simpson's Flora Of Suffolk (Suffolk Naturalist Society) 537 page hardback, used but in good average condition. A bargain at £6.99.

Falconry & Hawking by Philip Glasier (third edition), A hardback of 352 pages in excellent condition. A bargain at £20.00

RHS Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Very large hardback with 744 pages, used but in excellent condition. £35 on issue, my price £9.99. Buyer collect on may be able to do local delivery only

Wainwright - In The Valleys Of Lakeland. His last book. Used but clean hardback 216 pages. My price £4.99. buyer collect or maybe local delivery only

Great Feedback:

Shiela Newton (Newcastle)16th Aug 2011

I was researching Stock Ghyll Force, Ambleside – and I googled a link to your blog. I just had to write and say – WOW! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful knowledge – and your love of the countryside.

from Kate Schofield. 1st April 2012 I Just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying your blog! I stumbled on it while googling Hale Moss and now I'm hooked and keep returning! I buy from farms in Arnside, Silverdale & Yealand Conyers, but dont get to spend as much time in the area as I would like. I'm finding your blog NEARLY as good as being there. Kind Regards, Kate Schofield.

Geoff E (Lancaster) 13th April 2012 Hi Bryan, Just wanted to send my greetings and thanks for such wonderful springtime offerings on your blogs which I can't tell you how much they are appreciated. I check them almost daily and never fail to wonder at your dedication and knowledge of wildlife. Take care..... you are a wonder.... and keep up the good work. Best wishes Geoff.

Mo Richards - 25th March 2014 Hi Bryan,

Felt it was about time to say how enjoyable your blog is, its not fair to go on looking at it without sending an appreciation.

Thought you might like to know that the Flora of Cumbria Indoor meet last Saturday, Geoffrey Halliday said that your refind of the Holly Fern on Hutton Roof last year was the highlight of the Cumbria botanical year.